Question Number: 12199

Character, Attitude and Control 2/14/2006

Aaron of McFarland, Wisconsin USA asks...

I was an AR for a U17 local Classic team. The home team's coach would require his players to do a push-up whenever they over shot the goal by more than a yard or so. The away coach told me that he was offended by this and asked me to inform the center that he wanted the coach to stop. I didn't find an appropriate time to tell the center due to the flow of the game and at after a while, the away coach yelled for the centers attention and began to explain his problem.
I didn't feel that the home coach's decision was wrong.
Was I right in my opinion or was the away coach?

Thank you for this site. It's helped me considerably.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Where were the players doing their pushups? If off the field behind or near their bench I see nothing wrong with this. If ON the field, I'd have already told them to stop. It's amazing what bothers some coaches.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI again Aaron,
common sense where is the activity taking place, is it affecting the match in a negative fashion? Aside from the distraction it might have on the opposing coach I see it as a idiosyncrasy of the home coach and as long as it was not abusing the youth in some manner I see no problem.
Cheers